API 653 CODE QUIZ

1. In case of conflict between API-12C, AOI-650 and API-653 standards involving “in-service”
AST’s, which of the three codes will govern?

a. API-12C
b. API-650
c. API-653

2. Which of the following have the ultimate responsibility for complying with API-653 standard
provisions?

a. On-site Inspector
b. Contractor Involved
c. Owner / operator of equipment
d. Relevant state or Federal Agency
3. Internal pressures inside tanks may vary. Which of the following pressure represent the maximum
amount and is still considered to be atmospheric storage?

a. 3 oz .psig
b. 1.0 lb .psig
c. 1.5 lb. psig
d. 2.5 lb. psig

4. What is the joint efficiency of a lap riveted joint with one (1) row of rivets?

a. 45%
b. 60%
c. 75%
d. 80%

5. All prior reported brittle fracture tank failures have occurred under which of the following
conditions / situations?

a. Atmospheric temperature of 20ºF or lower

b. During a hydro test where the test water was 50ºF or colder.
c. Shortly after erection, following a repair / alteration, first cold weather filling or change to
lower temperature service.
d. Where a testing medium other than water was used.
6. When external UT ”t” measurements are used to determine a rate of general, uniform corrosion
(relevant to shell integrity) which of the following values cannot be exceeded?

a. 10 years maximum
b. 20 years maximum
c. 5 years (after commissioning), or at 5 years intervals (where corrosion rate is not known)
d. Five years or RCA / 4N, whichever is more.

7. What primary factor determines the interval between internal and external inspections?

a. Jurisdictional regulations
b. Tank service history, unless special reasons indicate an earlier inspection is required.
c. Known (or suspected) corrosion activity of product.
d. Change of service to a product with a specific gravity 10% higher than prior stored product.

8. What is the minimum dimension for a shell ring replacement piece or segment?

a. The actual area requiring renewal, plus 6” on all four surrounding sides.
b. 12” 0r 12 times the “t” of the replacement plate, whichever is greater.
c. 10% of the individual ring segment involved.
d. 20% of the individual ring segment involved.
9. Which of the areas described below are considered to be the “critical zone” involving tank bottom
repair?

a. Within the annular ring, within 12” of shell, or within 12”of inside edge of annular plate ring.
b. Any area where 3- plate laps are located.
c. Within 36” (measured vertically) from any shell penetration above.
d. Within 3” from the shell on the bottom plates.

10. Select the minimum number of “t” measurements required (along the circumference of any
proposed “hot-tap” nozzle location):

a. One (1) on horizontal centreline (3” from edge) on each side of proposed shell opening cut.
b. Four (4)
c. Eight (8)
d. Establishment of both a minimum and average “t” over the entire nozzle installation area.

11. What type of contour cut (if any) and what degree of bevel (if any) is required on the nozzle
“barrel” end that is to be joined to shell during a “hot-tap”.

a. No contour cut required, 30º outside bevel.

b. No contour cut required, 45º outside bevel.
c. Cut to shell contour and outside bevelled for full penetration attachment weld.
d. No contour cut required. 1 / 8” corner radius (minimum).
12. When reconstructing tank shells with a material “t” exceeding 1.50”, what minimum pre-heat is
specified?

a. No preheat required, if air temperature exceeds 70ºF.

b. 200ºF.
c. 225ºF.
d. 300ºF.

13. In re-erecting a tank shell, what length “sweep-board” and what are maximum allowable values for
weld seam peaking?

a. 0.50” (1/2”) with 36” horizontal sweep board?

b. 0.25” (1/4”) on verticals; 0.50” (1/2”) on horizontal with 36” board
c. 0.75” (3/4”) with 48” board.
d. 1.00” (1”) with 48” board.

14. Welding procedure specs (WPS) are established in Section 11 of API-653. Welders / operators
must be qualified in accordance with which of the codes listed.

a. AWS b. Section V ASME c. Section VIII ASME d. Section IX ASME

15. API-653 (Section 12) requires greater radiographic examination of tank shell welds than does
API-650. Relevant to new or repaired vertical joints in existing shell plates, how many
radiographs are required?

a. Twice those required by API-65O.

b. API 650 requirements plus one (1) in every joint.
c. One (1) for each welder or operator involved on each ring.
d. Two (2) for each welder or operator involved on each ring for all plate thicknesses.

The following information applies for questions 16 through 20 below:

An internal inspection is performed on an aboveground storage tank 44 feet tall, 40 foot fill height, 112
feet diameter, light oil (specific gravity = 1) service, sand pad with a reinforced concrete ring wall
foundation. There is one area of general corrosion on the north side of the shell 38 inches wide and 20
inches tall. (The tank was built to API 650, 7th Edition).

16. Calculate the minimum thickness for the first course based on product alone.

a. 7/8”
b. 3/4”
c. 5/8”
d. 1/2"
17. calculate the “L” length for an area of general corrosion found ten feet from the bottom on the
north side of the shell, t2 = .125 inches.

a. 3.72
b. 10”
c. 13.84”
d. 40”

18. There are four pits lined vertically on the south side of the tank in the first course. The pits
measure 1”, 1.250”, 1.” and .500” in length along a vertical line 8” long. The pit depth is
approximately 0.255” each.

a. A repair is required.
b. Because of the vertical pits, no repair is required.
c. If the pit depth is only .130 inches the pits may be ignored.
d. Scattered pits may be ignored.

19. A bulge is found on the tank floor, the diameter of the bulge is 30 inches, what is the maximum
permissible height for the bulge?

a. 11.1” b. .463” c. .962” d. 1.11”

20. An area of edge settlement in the tank bottom 6 feet from the tank shell has sloped down and
settled. The settlement measures 2 inches at the deepest point. The edge settlement area has bottom
lap welds approximately parallel to the shell.

a. A more rigorous stress analysis must be performed.

b. The area must be repaired.
c. Sloped edge settlement is usually no problem
d. The area should be docum1ented and checked during the next inspection.

API 653 CODE QUIZ

ANSWER KEY
1. c
2. c
3. d
4. a
5. c
6. c
7. b
8. b
9. d
10. b
11. c
12. b
13. a
14. d
15. b
16. d

t min = 2.6 (H-1) DG

SE

t min = ? D= 112 H= 40 G=1 S=23,600 E=1

t min = 2.6 (40-1) (112) (1)

23,600

t min = 11,356.8
23,600

t min = .481 inches (rounded to ½ inch)

17. c

L = 3.7 √ Dt2 L = 3.7 √(112)(.125) L = 3.7 √

18. a ( A repair is required.) Paragraph 4.3.2.2

Add the pit diameters 1” + 1.25” + .500” = 3.75” (more than allowed in an 8” area)
The pit depth exceeds one-half the minimum acceptable tank shell thickness.

19. b (.463”) (paragraph B.3.3)

R = Diameter divided by 2, in feet, 30” divided by 2 – 15” divided by 12 = 1.25 feet.

B = .37R
B = .37 (1.25) B = .463 inches

20. d (The area should be documented and checked during the next inspection.) Figure B-
10

Using figure B-10 the area is acceptable, it should be documented.